Mallorca — Returning to Familiar Places

Mallorca — Returning to Familiar Places

Mallorca has quietly become one of the places we keep returning to. There’s something about the island that feels easy — warm evenings, slow mornings, and small towns hidden between mountains and coastline. Every time we visit, I end up loving it a little more.

Last summer, we spent a little over a week exploring different parts of the island. We started in Palma before renting a car and driving across Mallorca — something I’d absolutely recommend if you want to experience more than just the city. And honestly, renting a car doesn’t have to be expensive.

Porto Cristo — A Slower Side of Mallorca

Our first stop was Porto Cristo, where we stayed by the coast for a few days. The area felt calm, relaxed, and much quieter than Palma. Small cafés, clear water, and slower mornings made it one of those places where time disappears a little. The beach itself is small, but charming in a very understated way. Compared to the busier parts of the island, Porto Cristo had a much softer atmosphere and honestly became one of the biggest surprises of the trip. We spent most evenings walking into the small town centre for dinner, which felt incredibly cozy and local.

Valldemossa — Mountains, Views & Quiet Streets

After Porto Cristo, we drove into the mountains towards Valldemossa, where we stayed at Hotel Bordoy Continental Valldemossa for two nights.

The drive is something to be aware of — narrow mountain roads, sharp turns, and endless zigzags. During the day, the views are incredible, but driving there at night can feel a little intimidating if you’re not used to mountain roads. Thankfully, my partner is very confident behind the wheel.

But once we arrived, it was completely worth it. The hotel overlooked the mountains and felt incredibly peaceful. Large pool, beautiful service, quiet surroundings — the kind of place where you almost don’t feel like leaving. During the days, we drove down into Valldemossa itself, which quickly became one of my favourite towns in Mallorca. Small stone streets, little cafés, local shops, and a calm atmosphere that feels almost untouched.

We were also lucky enough to arrive during a local town festival, so the streets were filled with music, dancing, carnival costumes, and people celebrating late into the evening. It made the whole experience feel even more special.

The One Thing I Wouldn’t Repeat

One evening, we found a small restaurant in the area for dinner, which unfortunately turned into our first experience with food poisoning while travelling.

Since then, I’ve become a little more careful with fresh fish in smaller mountain towns unless the restaurant comes highly recommended — especially compared to places directly by the harbour. Luckily, we didn’t get sick at the same time, so we somehow managed to take care of each other through it.

Not exactly part of the plan — but somehow still part of the memory now.

Our final stop was Palma, where we planned to spend the last few nights before flying home. We stayed at JS Palma Plaza, which turned out to be a great base for exploring the city — walking distance to the old streets, cafés, and supermarkets, while still feeling quiet and relaxed. Even though we spent part of the stay recovering, Palma still reminded me why I love returning there. The old streets, late dinners, warm nights, and the balance between city life and coastline make it one of those places that always feel easy to come back to.

And honestly, that’s probably why Mallorca keeps pulling us back.

Next month, we’re returning for 10 more days — and I’ll be sharing more places, moments, and guides from the island along the way.